FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 1, 2016) — Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin declared August Kentucky Breastfeeding Month. Kentucky ranks 42 out of 50 for breastfeeding rates in the United States, well behind the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy People 2020 objectives. The proclamation, signed at the capitol in Frankfort, is a step in the effort to improve that ranking. It acknowledges the importance of creating a healthy environment for children; the benefits in growth, development, bonding and disease protection provided by breast milk; and the support needed from Kentucky’s employers for breastfeeding mothers that will benefit both the employee and the company. To read the full proclamation, visit www.breastfeedKentucky.com.

The proclamation was inspired by the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 during the 2016 legislative session. SCR 9 was introduced by Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, with the support of the Lactation Improvement Network of Kentucky (LINK). It calls upon lawmakers to wholeheartedly support breastfeeding among the state’s family. In addition to SCR 9, LINK and Sen. Thomas also worked together on Senate Bill 34 which creates a fine for anyone who impedes a mother’s right to breastfeed in any public or private facility in the state. The efforts fighting for this legislation and others that protect a nursing mother’s rights will continue in the 2017 session.

As part of the month long celebration, events educating the public about the benefits of breastfeeding and offering support to breastfeeding mothers are taking place across the state. These include the Louisville community breastfeeding celebration Aug. 5 at the Family Health Center on E. Broadway, the Big Latch On Aug. 6 in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Ashland and northern Kentucky and the rock and relax area at the Kentucky State Fair Aug. 18 through 28. For a complete list and more information, visit www.breastfeedKentucky.com.

About the Lactation Improvement Network of Kentucky:

Founded in 2011 by a group of mothers and breastfeeding advocates, the Lactation Improvement Network of Kentucky (LINK) aims to improve the health and well-being of all babies by connecting women looking for breastfeeding resources and information. It is recognized by the United States Breastfeeding Committee as Kentucky’s breastfeeding coalition. LINK is a group of volunteers from across Kentucky leading the effort in breaking down breastfeeding barriers on the local, regional and state levels. This includes advocating for laws that protect a mother’s right to breastfeed in public or express breast milk in the workplace; promoting dialogue with minority communities with the lowest rates of breastfeeding; and recognizing community members who further the mission of making breastfeeding easier for all Kentuckians. For more information, follow LINK on Facebook or visit www.BreastfeedKentucky.com.

Friday, March 11, 2016 at 10:30 am Governor Matt Bevin officially signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 (SCR 9). This resolution was LINK’s first venture into legislative activity and Senator Thomas’ first piece of legislation to successfully pass and be signed by the Governor. SCR 9 more than passed… it sailed through the General Assembly receiving unanimous votes in favor of its passage every step of the way. SCR 9 was also the second piece of legislation to pass the 2016 General Assembly.

SCR 9 recognizes the importance of removing barriers to breastfeeding in the Commonwealth, encourages employers to strongly support breastfeeding by proving appropriate accommodations and urges all state agencies providing maternal or child health services to promote and support breastfeeding. A concurrent resolution does not have the force of law; rather it expresses the will of the General Assembly.

David Adamkin, MD, Director of Neonatal Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics at University of Louisville,

Elizabeth Doyle, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, System Medical Director of Lactation at Norton Healthcare and Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator with the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and

Denise Barbier, NICU Occupational Therapist at University of Louisville Center for Women and Infants and LINK Board Member

They provided eloquent testimony on the necessity of providing breast milk to sick babies in the NICU, the benefits of breastfeeding for all infants and the barriers to breastfeeding success in the Commonwealth. The testimony can be viewed at 3 minutes into this video.

All members of the committee voted in favor of passing SCR 9. Senator Alvarado, the only physician in the Senate, spoke about his experience with caring for breastfed infants and inquired about human milk banks. He ended up co-sponsoring SCR 9. Senator Buford, who sponsored Kentucky’s current law protecting breastfeeding in public ten years ago, committed to co-sponsoring and encouraged LINK to work to educate law enforcement agencies. Senator Kerr explained her yes vote by saying that she sent text messages to her sons during the testimony to tell them that they owe her everything because she breastfed them. She also talked about her experience as a new mother learning to breastfeed and her sponsorship of a law that exempts breastfeeding mothers from jury duty.

The following week on January 28, 2016, SCR 9 was called to the Senate floor for a vote. Panic set in as every single member of the Senate voted no. Laughter erupted as
Sen. Schickel, known for voting no on almost everything, voted yes. After all members voted, Senator Stivers, President of the Senate, asked if anyone wanted to change their vote. Every single member changed their vote to yes as they congratulated Senator Thomas on his first legislative victory. Watch the Kentucky Senate’s practical joke on Senator Thomas beginning at 52:50 here.

SCR 9 made its way to the House Health and Welfare Committee on February 11, 2016. This time Dr. Lawrence Wasser, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Newborn Nursery at the University of Louisville joined Dr. Doyle and Ms. Barbier to testify. The committee initially wanted to skip the hearing and go straight to the vote. This is usually a good thing. Sen. +++ suggests the committee go ahead and let the testimony happen since we made the trip. After our testimonies, Rep. Wuchner told a powerful story about the history of La Leche League and taking back breastfeeding. LINK was excited to learn that Rep. Wuchner started one of the first La Leche League groups in Louisville. With the final vote, Rep. Burch explains his yes vote by attributing his long life and sweet and charming personality to being a breastfed baby. SCR 9, again, passed unanimously. Our testimony starts around 20 minutes into this video.

The House of Representatives brought SCR 9 up for a vote on February 17, 2016. Rep. Joni Jenkins kindly carried the resolution on the House floor. Rep. Kay remarks that he recently learned of the importance of breastfeeding during the recent birth of his son and Rep. Mills notes that he must vote yes to return home to his daughter who is a lactation counselor. SCR 9 received another unanimous vote. The vote takes place around 36:15 in this archived video.

Results of the House vote!

Within a 30 day period every single member of the 2016 Kentucky General Assembly voted in favor of promoting and supporting breastfeeding!

After the House floor vote we waited patiently for Senate President Stivers to enroll and sign SCR 9 and send it to the Governor to sign. Follow up phone calls indicated that Senator Stivers was not going to enroll and sign it. This left us with many questions and led us to make many more phone calls. Why would Sen. Stivers refuse to enroll and sign SCR 9 when he voted in favor of it? Was this politically motivated because our sponsor is a democrat in a republican controlled Senate? As it turns out, Concurrent Resolutions do not require signature of the presiding officers or Governor, but many advocates push for it anyways, therefore exceptions to this rule are often made in Frankfort. LINK followed suit of others before us and pushed for the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Governor to sign SCR 9. Senator Stivers’, Speaker Stumbo’s, and Governor Bevin’s signatures mark the end of SCR 9’s journey through the legislative process, but rest assured that LINK’s advocacy for breastfeeding in Frankfort does not end here!

As we awaited the arrival of Governor Matt Bevin for the signing of SCR 9, LINK presented Senator Thomas with a gift to commemorate our shared legislative victory and in honor of his late wife, Lynda Thomas, who brought the need for breastfeeding legislation to his attention.

Our first legislative was relatively easy, but accomplished the goals of educating our legislators and learning how the process works. LINK also worked on SB 34 with Senator Thomas, which would attach a penalty fine to the current law protecting public breastfeeding. We also supported HB 18, sponsored by Representative Joni Jenkins. HB 18 would provide civil rights protections for pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions such as breastfeeding. SB 34 needs a few tweaks and HB 18 was defeated by an unfriendly amendment. We will continue to work to work on these important public policies between now and the 2017 legislative session. This work will include working with organizations to strengthen the language of the bill, securing sponsors from both parties, and building our network of supporters. Please consider joining us in these efforts by joining the legislation steering committee (email breastfeedinglink@gmail.com) and joining the Kentucky Breastfeeding Legislation Advocates Facebook group.

SCR 9 is a Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and House, recognizing the importance of removing barriers to breastfeeding in the Commonwealth. If passed, the resolution is a statement by the legislature recognizing the importance of breastfeeding. This resolution could go a long way towards helping establish better breastfeeding laws, workplace laws, and more! Read the whole resolution and follow it’s progress at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SCR9.htm.

The Resolution will be considered by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20 at 10 am at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

We need your help TODAY to support this Resolution!

1. Call the legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181. An operator will pick up, and you can ask for him or her to communicate to all members of the Senate Health and Welfare committee your support for SCR 9.

2. Call your own State Senator. You can find that person at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Find%20Your%20Legislator/Find%20Your%20Legislator.html. Tell your Senator, or an aide, your story of why breastfeeding is important. It is especially helpful if you can share a story of how your experience was difficult or unsupported by employers, healthcare providers, childcare workers, businesses, or the general public.

3. If you have an experience that you are passionate to share, please consider making a short presentation at the Committee Hearing on January 20. Contact Cerise at breastfeedinglink@gmail.com by January 15.

We will send out details on the exact location for the meeting at the Capitol Annex as soon as we have them confirmed.

The only way this will be passed is if YOU help show your support and spread the word! Please share this post, tell your colleagues, family members, and friends, and most importantly, contact your legislators!

Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for all health professionals who work with mothers and their newborns antenatally and during the intrapartum and postpartum periods in the NICU or well nursery, i.e. OB & NICU & postpartum nurses, lactation consultants, pediatric nurses, midwives, home visiting nurses, doulas, OTs, PT, dieticians, childbirth educators and physicians.

New this year: Kangaroo Care Effects on Critically Ill Mothers-testimony

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: CWRU Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Kangaroo Care]]>https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2015/03/05/9th-annual-kangaroo-caregiver-certification/feed/0breastfeedinglinkimage001Call to Action: Kentucky Legislation Supporting Breastfeedinghttps://breastfeedkentucky.com/2015/02/04/call-to-action-kentucky-legislation-supporting-breastfeeding/
https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2015/02/04/call-to-action-kentucky-legislation-supporting-breastfeeding/#respondWed, 04 Feb 2015 16:16:56 +0000http://breastfeedkentucky.com/?p=239Continue reading →]]>Please show your support for two proposed breastfeeding laws that are up for review in the current legislative session! Senate Bill 35 attaches penalties to violating a mother’s right to breastfeed, and Senate Bill 36 provides increased protections for Kentucky mothers to express milk in the workplace.

Action Needed:

Call 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message of support for all Kentucky legislators, or find phone numbers for the elected officials that represent you at www.lrc.ky.gov.

Email BreastfeedingLINK@gmail.com with your stories of discrimination in public or difficulty in the workplace. We need these stories to educate legislators as to why these protections are needed in Kentucky.

Share with your social network or clients! We need Kentucky’s legislators to know that citizens want this protection!

Subscribe to the LINK newsletter to easily receive and share calls to action through your professional network.

Use the talking points below in discussions with your legislators, in presentations or to hand out to clients.

These two protections for Kentucky families further LINK’s mission to make breastfeeding easier for ALL Kentuckians. Please show your support by picking up the phone, sharing your stories and encouraging others to do the same.

“Neuroscience of Birth and the Case for Zero Separation” with Nils Bergman
“A Neurobehavioral Approach to Breastfeeding including Breastfeeding Premature Infants” with Nils Bergman
“What is a Kangaroula? with Jill Bergman
“Neurological Supportive Labor Ward and NICU” with Nils Bergman
“Implementation to Support the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative” with Nils Bergman

Tuition: $90 (includes breakfast and lunch, vegetarian lunch will be available). No refunds will be made after February 5, 2015. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Space is limited to 100.

Doors open at 7:00 am.

Applications have been made for CERPs and CEUs. Attendance certificate, CERPs and CEUs are provided by KLIC via email after the conference.

Lectures will be in Rooms 101-102, first floor of the CTR Building

Parking is available in the garage adjacent to the CTR Building and accessed from South Clay Street. Cost for parking is $8.00/day.

Dr. Bergman’s books and tapes will be available for purchase with cash or check.

Handouts will be provided via email or on the LINK website as soon as available.

Nursing babies are welcome and accomodations for pumping will be made upon request.

BIOS:

Nils Bergman, MB ChB, DCH, MPH, MD is known world wide for his contributions to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), and the underlying perinatal and developmental neuroscience behind it. His diverse background explains his broader public health approach to supporting and promoting the global dissemination of maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact. He, together with Midwife Agneta Jurisoo, developed and implemented KMC for premature infants right from birth. This resulted in a five-fold improvement in survival of Very Low Birth Weight babies. He introduced KMC to South Africa in 1995, and after 5 years, KMC became official policy for care of prematures in the hospitals of the Western Cape province. During that time he was the Senior Medical Superintendent of the Mowbray Maternity Hospital (7000 deliveries per year) and five Midwife Obstetric Units (11000 deliveries per year). Dr Bergman continues to live and work in Cape Town, as a Consulting Public Health Physician. He has also worked in Sweden and Zimbabwe. He is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cape Town, South Africa where he continues his research on KMC and travels extensively to share his passion and research evidence for KMC. He is married to Jill and together they have 3 children.

Jill Bergman, BA has taught and lectured in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She has supported her husband, Dr. Nils Bergman, in Kangaroo Mother Care since 1988. Together they have produced 4 DVDs and written a book “Hold Your Prem” for parents of premature babies. She trains nursing staff in the practicalities of KMC and developmental care, is a doula and a kangaroula.

Filed under: Uncategorized]]>https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2015/01/16/the-mother-baby-connection-with-nils-and-jill-bergman/feed/2breastfeedinglinkbergmanKentucky Ranks 6th Highest for Birth Kangaroo Care!https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/12/19/kentucky-ranks-6th-highest-for-birth-kangaroo-care/
https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/12/19/kentucky-ranks-6th-highest-for-birth-kangaroo-care/#respondFri, 19 Dec 2014 19:30:54 +0000http://breastfeedkentucky.com/?p=210Continue reading →]]>According to the newly released mPINC Survey results from 2013, Kentucky ranks 6th highest for Skin-to-Skin contact or birth Kangaroo Care by placing newborns in KC with their mothers immediately after birth, with nothing between them except a diaper, providing uninterrupted time for breastfeeding to begin naturally in the delivery room. The mPINC Survey is conducted every two years by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to collect data from birthing hospitals nationwide on maternity care practices and policies related to breastfeeding support. Kentucky also ranks 12th highest for birth KC for mothers delivering their babies by C-section. Forty-four KY birthing hospitals completed the 2013 survey.

Skin-to-skin contact for vaginal and c-section births are just 2 of the many questions in the mPINC survey. All of the questions gather information about the hospital practices that can either support or hinder a mother in her decision to breastfeed her baby. In a sense, the mPINC survey measures how “baby friendly” the birthing hospital is.

LINK congratulates the Commonwealth of Kentucky in achieving such a great improvement in supporting breastfeeding in our birthing hospitals!

Filed under: Uncategorized]]>https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/12/19/kentucky-ranks-6th-highest-for-birth-kangaroo-care/feed/0breastfeedinglinks2sSimple Actions You Can Take for Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25-31https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/08/26/simple-actions-you-can-take-for-black-breastfeeding-week-august-25-31/
https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/08/26/simple-actions-you-can-take-for-black-breastfeeding-week-august-25-31/#respondTue, 26 Aug 2014 00:26:16 +0000http://breastfeedkentucky.com/?p=191Continue reading →]]>August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and a group of nationally recognized breastfeeding advocates have declared August 25-31st as Black Breastfeeding Week, with the byline, “Strong Babies. Proud Parents. Yep, breastfeeding did that.”

As an extension of both Breastfeeding Month and Black Breastfeeding week, several focus group interviews are being scheduled in Lexington during September. African-American mothers and grandmothers who have an infant 1 year of age or younger are invited to participate in this research study to explore the choices that mothers make to breastfeed and bottle feed. Participants will receive a $25 gift card and refreshments will be offered.

This project is being sponsored by the Lactation Improvement Network of Kentucky (LINK) through UK Research.

Please share the below outreach posters to participate with your clients, colleagues, and friends. These groups are NOT ONLY for families who have breastfed. If you would like to receive pre-printed copies, or have further questions, please contact:
· Doraine Bailey at the Lexington Health Department at 859-288-2348 or dorainef.bailey@ky.gov; or
· Nicole Peritore, Principal Investigator, at 859-257-3802.

Dana Bennett and Michelle Johnson-Howell place the International Breastfeeding Logo on the doors of local businesses.

A farmer, a mother-to-be, a registered nurse and two public health workers walk into a bar, a coffee bar that is. This is not the start to another bad joke, but just a day in the life of some Western Kentucky Breastfeeding Coalition members and friends. This is Bowling Green’s very own league of breastfeeding advocates working together to promote a harmonious balance with mom, baby, breast and everyone else. This is the modern story of Farm to Table, where at times the table just happens to be the breast.

BG’s breastfeeding efforts paralleled the realm of local foods for so long that it only seemed natural to combine the two. The Community Farmers Market, with the help of local farmer, mother, food advocate, entrepreneur and breastfeeding supporter, Michelle Howell, served as the springboard for the idea. This farmers market features local foods and one cannot get any more local than breastfeeding! This year-round farmers market does more than just sell anything a small farm can grow. It has booths for local crafters and artisans, promotes community involvement and helped grow the idea of Babynet KY.

Babynet KY is currently housed on a Facebook platform and serves as a forum for local parents and parents-to-be. Dana Bennett, local dietitian, breastfeeding promoter, crafter and farmers market supporter, is one of the few that moderates the page. Members are free to post any questions, comments or concerns about anything baby. Discussion is encouraged and often unavoidable. This social media tool keeps the area connected and provides parents with much needed information and resources that are often overlooked in official publication. Babynet KY members are invited to meet once a month with other members and hear about what hot topics are on the rise in the community. Speakers, including LINK’s very own Cerise Bouchard, are featured at meetings to broadcast what is happening in new areas of breastfeeding promotion, birth stories, babywearing and many other topics seen daily on the Facebook page. Just this month, efforts from famers market advocates and Babynet KY members combined can be seen in a local publication, EAT.

Spring/Summer EAT publication with breastfeeding photo shoot.

EAT is created and published locally and printed twice a year to promote local foods, farming and sustainability. Gracing the pages of the latest issue is a wonderful full-page spread featuring breastfeeding mothers at a local coffee bar. A local photographer donated time to do a tasteful photo shoot empowering breastfeeding women in a local establishment. The adjacent page lists nine local food establishments that promote and encourage breastfeeding. These nine local supporters were the first to proudly display the international breastfeeding symbol in their storefront windows as a beacon of hope and comfort for breastfeeding women and the cause. Window decals provided by the group will be creeping up across BG as more and more support is gained through community-wide promotion.

So, from the Community Farmers Market to Babynet KY to the biannual publication of EAT magazine, the women at today’s coffee bar are walking door-to-door to pass out the publication. The featured advertisement serves as a reminder for the community that breastfeeding is an important local effort that we must sustain. It reminds mothers that they do have the power and the support to breastfeeding anywhere they decide to go in their community, and it reminds this wonderful group of women that their efforts are helping to create a shift. This local shift is looked upon proudly by LINK and its supporters. It helps shine a light on the vision that soon a culture of support for breastfeeding will be the norm in Kentucky.

Filed under: Uncategorized]]>https://breastfeedkentucky.com/2014/04/18/keeping-abreast-of-farm-to-table-in-bowling-green/feed/1breastfeedinglinkDana Bennett and Michelle Johnson-Howell place the International Breastfeeding Logo on the doors of local businesses.Spring/Summer EAT publication with breastfeeding photo shoot.